Pets are now ‘part of the family’ and factored into big decisions
Furry friends are factored into many households’ plans, with 50.8% of respondents being unlikely or reluctant to go on holiday without their pet. One respondent said their dog was just “another member of our family”, while another said their cat was “treated as family members - humans”. A similar 2023 Pew Research survey found 97% of Americans with a pet considered them a member of their family and 51% considered them as much a part of their family as human family members. Women, people with lower family incomes and people living in urban areas are more likely to view their pets as family members, the 2023 survey found. Dogs and other pets play an important emotional role, especially for people who are isolated or traumatised, the researcher said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 04, 2026 17:33 UTC
Letters: Why there is a reaction to the use of Aotearoa rather than New Zealand
My new year resolution is to use Aotearoa wherever and whenever I get the opportunity. I see it as an evolving extension of changes already in place, a good example of that being Mount Taranaki. I am encouraged by this “cultural creep” of things Māori across the community. I’m truly confident that use of the name “Aotearoa” will supplant “New Zealand” over time. For some time, observers in the United States have raised concerns about the health of the President.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 04, 2026 17:32 UTC
Construction boom: 20 big projects set to reshape Auckland and beyond in 2026
The new terminal buildings currently under construction at Auckland Airport. Du ValCould legal action against the failed property development group Du Val in Auckland occur in 2026 and some of its long-stalled projects be finished? Fletcher Living’s ex-Three Kings quarry and its $500m The Hill at Ellerslie are just two of its big projects under construction. Plans for 35 Graham St, Auckland CBD. We should see some big moves in 2026 from Precinct, which is also developing apartments in many Auckland areas.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 04, 2026 17:31 UTC
ODT quiz: January 5
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Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 16:51 UTC
Rare cars on show
REPORT: RUBY SHAW / PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONMazda collector and Retro Automotive restorer Cory Wilson, of Dunedin, shows off his rare R100 Mazda during an impromptu car meet in South Dunedin on Saturday. He has owned the car for about 12 years and estimated there were about 10 in New Zealand. It was part of his 15-strong car collection, chiefly of Mazdas. "Went for a ride with my cousin one day when I was about 13 years old and just hooked ever since." He had worked on, or owned, most of the 10 cars at the meet.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 16:32 UTC
How to ditch all the bad stuff that happened last year and start afresh
Keep it simple. Ask yourself: “Who do I want to be this year?” Then grab a postcard and write a note to yourself about how you’d like things to be at the end of 2026. Include how you want to be thinking, feeling and behaving. There’s not much room, so you’ll need to cut to the chase.
Source:Stuff
January 04, 2026 16:31 UTC
Wellington’s population set to be outstripped by Tauranga and Hamilton’s within 25 years
Wellington’s population at last count was 209,800, with the new forecast estimating growth of only 0.3% annually to 228,900 by 2048. Photo / Mark MitchellThe lack of population growth was a key concern often mentioned by Wellington’s new mayor, Andrew Little, during his leadership campaign. Little believes affordability in the city is one of the major factors behind Wellingtonians leaving and outsiders not coming. WellingtonNZ, the capital’s council-controlled organisation tasked with the city’s economic development, is optimistic things will improve. Chief executive Mark Oldershaw said while the city’s population had slowed, Wellington still had “strong fundamentals and sustained appeal as a place to live, work and invest”.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 04, 2026 16:23 UTC
Couple desperate to get dogs back
Huntaway-cross Jock and blue heeler Nala were last seen in a ute that was stolen from Omakau on Saturday. PHOTOS: SUPPLIEDThe owner of two missing dogs taken away in a stolen ute in Central Otago says she is praying her "babies" are still alive. Shaid Jackson, of Springvale, said she and partner Jacob Nolan could only watch as their ute was driven away with their beloved dogs still inside on Saturday. Neither of the pair had slept on Saturday night; most of it was spent driving around searching for signs of the dogs. "Just leave the dogs somewhere — take the truck, we don't care about the truck.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 16:06 UTC
Merry cherry pickers
Miss Bennetts and two others cherry picking at Roxburgh, 1939. — During 2025 staff at Hocken Collections added thousands of images to the Digital Collections website, most of them never previously seen online. The site can be accessed at: https://hocken.recollect.co.nz
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 15:42 UTC
Williams gets Double Jeopardy home in cup
Tim Williams drives Double Jeopardy (outer) to victory in the Roxburgh Cup at Roxburgh yesterday. PHOTO: MONICA TORETTOTravel is not wearing driver Tim Williams down, judging by his pinpoint display behind Double Jeopardy in the Peters Genetics Roxburgh Cup yesterday. Gore Cup winners Always Dreaming and Matthew Williamson looked to gain an advantage over their main rivals when they landed in front of Williams and Double Jeopardy early. "Once we worked into it, he travelled up around the last bend really good. Double Jeopardy has been in the care of Williams’ partner Aimee Edmonds and based at Brett Gray’s barn in Southland during his Southern raid.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 15:38 UTC
Five of the best for Cromwell
A race is underway as part of the Wyndham Harness Racing Club's raceday, at Cromwell, in 2020. But if she can repeat her first-up win, Cromwell could prove a steppingstone to bigger things for this filly. Our TwinkleIf there’s a horse racing at Cromwell that deserves a victory, it is this guy. Whether her recent form will add a bit of value for punters looks unlikely but not impossible. He’s probably the best horse in his race and one to keep a real eye on going forward.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 15:38 UTC
Magic moments: January 5
Delight your friends and family, captivate our readers and share your favourite holiday images in our Magic Moments competition. The winners will be announced in the Otago Daily Times on January 12. First prize: $100 voucher and an A3 canvas of the winning photographSecond prize: A3 canvas print of the second prize photograph. Third prize: ODT puzzle of the Dunedin Railway Station. Also: Everyone who has a photo published in our competition can take the original file to Jonathan's Photo Warehouse in Dunedin and receive a free enlargement.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 15:36 UTC
Melville Ives again on podium
PHOTO: TRACEY ROXBURGHRising Otago star Finley Melville Ives has continued his momentum on the freeskiing slopes. "I’m so stoked", Melville Ives said. Despite that, Melville Ives put down a career-first trick in competition, landing a switch left double corked 1440 safety grab on the second hit of his second finals run. Showing trademark composure, Melville Ives focused on his skiing rather than scores and was determined to raise the bar. Melville Ives finished second with Goepper claiming gold and American team-mate Birk Irving completing the podium in third.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 15:36 UTC
Mika returns to St Kilda to have her latest pup
Sea lion Mika has returned to St Kilda to birth her pup, seen here about 12 hours old. Sea lion Mika gave birth to a pup in the front yard of a St Kilda property on Friday night, not far from the spot she gave birth last season. Mika is the great-great-granddaughter of Mum, the matriarch of the Dunedin sea lion population. A resident at the property said Mika had given birth on Friday night, and she and her pup were "absolutely beautiful". Kaitlin and her mother Kirsty Beyer were delighted to see sea lion Mika return to St Kilda to birth her latest pup.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 15:36 UTC
Idyllic day for race day fans
Jade Parks, of Lumsden, riding Takapau, front, and Lauren O’Connor, of Waikaia, on Benny, compete in the Elfin Bay Cup Ladies Gallop, sponsored by Blanket Bay Lodge, during the 64th Glenorchy Races held on Saturday. A couple of thousand punters from all over the country — and the globe — spent an idyllic day in Glenorchy on Saturday making the most of the annual Glenorchy Races, which celebrated its 64th anniversary. Unlike other race events, the Glenorchy race day has kept true to its rural roots from the beginning. A total of 10 races were held, including a relay race, the ever-popular double banking, a stockman’s race, and the quarter mile sprint, attracting entrants from all over the lower South. Net proceeds from the entry fee from the day will go towards community groups and projects at the head of the lake.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 15:36 UTC